Chapter 83

Matilda’s eyes were red-rimmed with guilt. She stammered, “I don’t know if you still believe me, but that post wasn’t from me. Last night, after I took my brother home, Carmen showed up at my place. She tried to bribe me into reporting you for cheating, but I refused.”

As if afraid Aubree wouldn’t believe her, Matilda raised her fingers in a solemn vow. “I swear, this wasn’t me, it wasn’t what I wanted. My parents… they saw the money and used my identity. I’m so, so sorry.”

She hung her head low. “Go ahead, hate me all you want,” she said weakly. The more she tried to explain, the more futile it felt. Whether she did it herself or her family did, in the end, she felt it amounted to the same thing.

Aubree simply stared at her in silence.

Matilda managed a bitter smile. “I’ll clear this up, and then I’ll quit the team.”

Just as she turned to leave, Aubree cleared her throat.

She said, “Hey, you owe me a favor. Instead of figuring out how to make it up to me, you’re just thinking of bailing on me? If you leave, who’s gonna coach my squad?”

When Aubree first realized it was Matilda, she admitted feeling a flare of anger, but she shut it down almost immediately.

Aubree thought firmly, ‘That’s not the Matilda I know!’

‘After hearing her explanation, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of relief.

‘Unlike the betrayals from my own family in my previous life, the friends I’ve chosen this time around have firmly stood by my side.’

Aubree walked over and gave Matilda a reassuring pat on the shoulder. “Your family’s actions are on them; you are your own person. I don’t believe in holding you responsible for what they did. Seriously, don’t let this weigh on you. I’ll handle it. When I really need your help, I won’t hesitate to ask. And if you really want to make it up to me, just bring home the season championship."

“Alright, your Boss Aubree is off to find you guys a new home!”

With a casual wave, Aubree left the school gates, hailed a cab, and headed straight for Golden Industrial Park.

Golden Industrial Park was one of Rithol City’s most famous landmarks, especially in the esports scene. This place was home to numerous professional esports teams’ headquarters.

Take League of Legends, for example. Six of the league’s sixteen franchised teams were based there, not even counting the countless other games with official tournaments happening these days.

When establishing an esports club, one would naturally choose a mainstream location with the right competitive atmosphere.

Originally, this wasn’t her first choice. Back when the rent here was still cheap and the place hadn’t made a name for itself, it was much more affordable. But as its reputation grew and the esports scene exploded, the value of this industrial park soared.

Now that she had Alvin’s black card, this rental fee was no big deal.

Even in the cab, Aubree kept working to contain the online firestorm.

Aubree called Alvin.

Chapter 83

He said, “Aubree? I know what’s happening online. I’m handling it.”

Aubree asked, “Is it giving you a hard time?”

“It’s not trouble,” Alvin replied, his voice edged with frustration.

He continued, “Come on, don’t you think the tournament officials know whether you cheated or not? But you also know the hottest team in the league right now is Apex Squad. And more importantly, the man behind Apex Squad is Emery, who represents the entire Wilson family.”

Aubree’s heart sank. She thought, ‘Yeah, normally, when a championship team gets accused, the tournament officials issue a statement right away. But it’s been ages since that accusation post went up, and still nothing from the officials!’

Many were speculating whether the tournament officials had tacitly approved the situation and were now working behind the scenes to resolve it.

Alvin said, “Originally, the officials wanted to give the Wilson family preferential treatment, but I blocked that. Now they’re saying they’ll issue a statement that the matter is still under investigation. As for the final outcome, that’s for us to settle ourselves.”

She got the picture; in short, the Wilson family was working against the Turner family on this matter.

Not wanting to offend either the Wilson family or the Turner family, the officials simply let them duke it out themselves.

She said, “Got it.”

As Aubree stepped out of the cab, she spotted the leasing agent already waiting for her. “I’ve got something to take care of here, so I’ll hang up now. Thanks, Alvin, I really appreciate it.”

She thought, ‘Matilda is my winning card here. With enough pressure applied, even the officials can’t just sweep this under the rug.’